Pestle Puffball DSC_9430
Pestle Puffball / lycoperdon excipuliforme. Derbyshire. 31/10/16.
I hope I am right in my identification!
The Pestle Puffball has a number of close lookalikes, so I stand to be corrected if I've made a mistake. Please let me know.
These fungi remind me of inverted pears sticking up from the ground!
Growing alone in a woodland clearing, this one had developed a nice rich umber tone and still retained its outer, velvety layer. Eventually this flakes off to reveal a papery under-layer, the peridium. When it splits the powdery brown spores are released into the air. The process is aided by wind and raindrops striking the puffball. The spores come out in puffs, hence the name.
Pestle Puffball DSC_9430
Pestle Puffball / lycoperdon excipuliforme. Derbyshire. 31/10/16.
I hope I am right in my identification!
The Pestle Puffball has a number of close lookalikes, so I stand to be corrected if I've made a mistake. Please let me know.
These fungi remind me of inverted pears sticking up from the ground!
Growing alone in a woodland clearing, this one had developed a nice rich umber tone and still retained its outer, velvety layer. Eventually this flakes off to reveal a papery under-layer, the peridium. When it splits the powdery brown spores are released into the air. The process is aided by wind and raindrops striking the puffball. The spores come out in puffs, hence the name.